After completing a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), you can choose courses after BDS abroad, including clinical practice programs, master’s degrees, and healthcare management courses.
These coursescan include masters degrees, fellowship programs, diploma programs, postgraduate certificates, and other specialised courses. The right course depends on the student's career goal.
The article discusses types of courses such as masters, diploma, and fellowship courses after BDS. It also talks about the most popular courses, eligibility criteria, fee structures, steps to apply, and which is the best course to pursue depending on your career objectives.
Types of Courses After BDS Abroad
Students looking to further their education after BDS have multiple choices of courses. These are mainly masters degrees, fellowships, diplomas, postgraduate certificates, and research courses.
The following are major paths that you may opt for based on your preference:
1. Masters Courses After BDS
These kinds of programs are a common choice for BDS graduates who want advanced knowledge in a specific area. Master programs can be related to dentistry or can move into a wider healthcare field.
Structure: Classroom instruction, lab and/or clinical training according to the course.
Length of time: Generally 1-2 years, depending on country and university.
Popular areas:
Dental Sciences
Oral Health
Public Health
Healthcare Management
Clinical Research
Health Sciences
2. Fellowship Courses After BDS
These courses are short and focused programs. They are useful for students who want to learn one particular dental skill or subject. Some fellowships include hands-on training or clinical exposure.
The course structure of fellowship courses after BDS can be different from one university or training provider to another.
Structure: Focused learning in one dental or healthcare area.
Duration: Often shorter than a full masters degree.
Popular areas:
Implantology
Cosmetic Dentistry
Oral Surgery
Orthodontics
Endodontics and other dental subjects.
3. Diploma Courses After BDS
These courses can be used to introduce a student to a skill without having to take a long masters course. They can be classes, practical or, projects, or clinical training.
For those who are interested in pursuing a focused or short-term study, diploma courses after BDS can be beneficial.
Duration: It may take a few months to 1-2 years.
Popular areas:
Dental implantology
Healthcare management
Dental technology
Public health
Clinical Research
These are also popular courses after BDS other than MDS because students can use their healthcare background in management roles.
Popular Courses After BDS
There are numerous courses after BDS in various countries. The program name, length of course, entry requirements, and professional recognition of the qualification vary from University to University and country to country.
The following are some of the popular career options for BDS graduates:
Popular Course
Duration
Focus Area
Masters in Dental Sciences
1-2 years
Advanced dental knowledge and research
Masters in Dental Public Health
1-2 years
Public and community oral health
Master of Public Health (MPH)
1-2 years
Public health, epidemiology and health policy
MSc in Clinical Research
1-2 years
Clinical research and trials
Masters in Oral Biology
1-2 years
Oral science and research
MBA in Healthcare Management
1-2 years
Healthcare business and management
Master of Health Administration (MHA)
1-2 years
Hospital and healthcare administration
PG Diploma in Dental Sciences
6 months-2 years
Specialised dental knowledge
PG Diploma in Healthcare Management
1-2 years
Healthcare administration
Fellowship in Implantology
6-12 months
Dental implants
Fellowship in Aesthetic Dentistry
6-12 months
Cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry
Fellowship in Endodontics
6-12 months
Root canal and endodontic care
Fellowship in Oral Surgery
6-12 months
Oral surgical skills
Fellowship in Clinical Research
6-12 months
Clinical and medical research
If you want to know more about each masters program, check out:
After BDS, one can pursue postgraduate studies in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The best country will be determined by the student's course, budget, career plans, language skills, and requirements for professional licensing.
The following data includes some of the top destinations with their clinical and non-clinical courses.
Top Courses After BDS in USA
For the graduates of BDS, US universities provide a wide range of opportunities, including advanced dental programs, as well as healthcare and research-related studies.
Postgraduate courses after BDS in UK offer specialization in many fields, such as dentistry, endodontics, periodontology, oral biology, and dental public health.
The educational opportunities in Australia offer both specialist clinical training and postgraduate courses after BDS in public health, healthcare administration, and research.
Clinical programs:
Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent) in Orthodontics
Apart from general studies related to dentistry, the universities in New Zealand offer a variety of health sciences, public health, and research studies.
Clinical programs:
Postgraduate Dentistry
Dental Specialty Training
Clinical Dentistry programs
Non-clinical programs:
Master of Public Health
Master of Health Sciences
Clinical Research programs
Health Sciences programs
Tuition Fees of Courses After BDS
The cost of courses after BDS depends on the country, university, course length, and type of program. Clinical dental programs can be more expensive than some public health, research, or management courses.
Here’s a table giving you an estimated idea of tuition fees depending on the kind of course and practical training you choose.
Type of Course
Approximate Annual Tuition Fee for Clinical Programs (USD/INR)
Approximate Annual Tuition Fee for Non-Clinical Programs (USD/INR)
Note: These are broad ranges and can change based on the university and course.
For students choosing diploma courses after BDS, the total cost can be lower if the course is shorter. However, the fee depends on the provider and subject.
Eligibility Requirements for Courses After BDS
Entry requirements vary according to the country, university, and course but usually require a BDS or equivalent qualification as a prerequisite for postgraduate study in dentistry or related healthcare degrees.
Here are the general requirements showcasing what you need to have before applying.
Academic Requirements
The exact academic requirements may include:
Clinical courses may require 1-2 years of work experience and a valid dental licence
Non-clinical courses such as MPH, MHA, and Healthcare Management may accept fresh BDS graduates
Your academic score usually needs to meet the university's minimum requirement, which can vary by course and country
Some universities may also ask for GRE or other entrance tests, although this is not required for every program
English Language Requirements
Students applying for English-language programs need to prove their proficiency in English.
IELTS: Generally 6.5-7.5 (depending on the course and university)
OET (Occupational English Test): Some healthcare and clinical programs may accept Grade B in each of the components of OET.
Higher English requirements may apply to clinical programs, as these programs include clinical training and/or patient interaction.
Always check your university's exact score requirements before applying.
The required score depends on the university and course. Clinical programs may also have additional language or communication requirements.
Documents Required
Along with academic documents, students may need:
Updated CV
Statement of Purpose (refer to this SOP format for detailed guidance)
Letters of Recommendation (check out the correct LOR format)
BDS degree certificate
BDS transcripts
Internship certificate
English-language test score
Work experience documents, if required
Passport
Professional registration documents, if required
Research proposal for some research programs
Students should check the exact document list on the university website before applying.
How to Apply for Courses Abroad After BDS?
After completing BDS, one can apply for postgraduate courses, which include course selection, verification of eligibility, document preparation, and application to universities.
For the process, students should start planning and researching 12 to 18 months before their intended intake.
Here is the step-by-step guidance on how to apply for your selected program after BDS.
Step 1: Select a Course
Decide on a topic for study. After BDS, one can compare dental, public health, research, management, and other courses, other than MDS.
Step 2: Check Eligibility
Ensure that you have met all requirements for your BDS program, including academic qualifications, marks, internship, work experience, English-language proficiency, and other course requirements.
Step 3: Shortlist Universities
Research universities by course selection, tuition, location, length, requirements, and career prospects.
Step 4: Prepare Documents
Prepare all the documents required like BDS degree, transcripts, CV, SOP, LORs, English test score, passport, etc.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Submit your application through the University website or the University Application System.
Step 6: Attend an Interview
Some universities may require an interview for applicants. There are also other selection steps in clinical courses.
Step 7: Accept the Offer
The university will issue an offer letter if the applicant has been chosen. It is important that students read all the conditions before accepting it.
Step 8: Apply for a Student Visa
Upon accepting and satisfying the official requirements of the university, students may then apply for the appropriate student visa.
How to Choose a Course After BDS?
This will depend on your plans after graduating. Consider your future career before course selection. Start by doing research on all the programs, shortlist them, and then you may get clarity on what each course is about and which courses align with your goals and interests.
To solve this dilemma, let’s quickly look at what to choose after BDS.
Choose MDS or equivalent if:
If you wish to advance your career in a specialized clinical field and become a specialist, select a dental specialty.
Possible areas include:
Orthodontics
Endodontics
Periodontics
Prosthodontics
Paediatric Dentistry
Oral Surgery
A postgraduate dental degree entitles you to extend your licence to practise in another country.
Select MPH if:
If you are interested in community, health program, government, NGO or public health research involvement, you might consider an MPH.
These are some of the areas you can study:
Epidemiology
Health policy
Global health
Health promotion
Biostatistics
Public health research
Monash's MPH, for example, includes areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, global health, health policy and public health promotion.
Go for MBA/MHA If:
Choose an MBA or MHA if you want to move away from full-time clinical dentistry and are interested in healthcare management.
You can work towards careers in:
Hospital management
Healthcare operations
Healthcare consulting
Health insurance
Healthcare companies
Healthcare administration
These are some of the most useful courses after BDS other than MDS, for students interested in management.
Look at MSc/Clinical Research If:
An MSc or clinical research program can help you move towards research, universities, clinical trials, healthcare companies, and academic work.
Possible areas include:
Dental research
Oral biology
Clinical research
Public health research
Biomedical science
Health data and research
Opt Fellowship/PG Diploma If:
You want to improve a particular advanced clinical skill, look at fellowship courses after BDS or diploma courses after BDS.
These may be shorter than a full master's program and can focus on one area.
Before applying, check:
Who awards the qualification?
Is the program accredited?
Does it include clinical training?
Can international dentists treat patients during the course?
Is work experience required?
Does it help with professional registration?
Conclusion
Courses after BDS give students many choices beyond traditional dental specialisation. Students can study dental sciences, public health, clinical research, healthcare management, digital dentistry, business, and other health-related subjects.
There are also fellowship and diploma courses for students who want shorter, more focused programs. After BDS, if a student does not wish to go for MDS, they can opt for one of the following courses, depending on their career goals.
Students should review course eligibility, fees, living expenses, language requirements, course length, and career prospects before applying. If students are interested in practicing outside of the country, they should also research the country's dental licensing and registration requirements.
These programs can help students pursue careers in specialized dentistry, research, public health, healthcare management, and academia. Their worth will rely on your career aspirations and the need for that qualification within the workplace in your selected nation.
Which type of course earns the most?
Dentist and specialist jobs and positions in healthcare management, consulting, and medical affairs are also good options and have strong earning potential for any course with clinical specialisations.
Which specialisations are in demand for international students?
Postgraduate options include prosthodontics, clinical research, endodontics, periodontics, dental public health, oral surgery, and orthodontics. There is some variation in demand from country to country, and local dental registration is required for clinical practice.
What is the duration of clinical and non-clinical programs?
The time required for completion of most masters programs is approximately 1-2 years, either in a clinical or non-clinical area. Fellowships and diplomas may be brief, ranging from several months to two years, depending on the program.
Which type of course after BDS can be hard?
Clinical postgraduate programs are challenging as it involves advanced dental theory, practical training, and patient care. It is important that international students be aware of local registration requirements in the event of post-graduation practice.
Which year of courses after BDS is the toughest?
Across postgraduate courses, clinical programs can become demanding during practical training and patient work, while research programs may be more challenging during major projects or dissertations.
What percentage is needed for courses after BDS?
Generally, 55-70% is expected, but universities do have their own academic criteria, and this is different from course to course, as well as country to country. There are lots of programs that need a recognised BDS degree and a minimal academic rating.
Which country is best for courses after BDS?
The best countries for pursuing courses after BDS may be USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It depends on the course, budget, career aspirations, and dental licensing requirements.
What are the top universities to study courses abroad after BDS?
There are several, including Kings College London, University College London, University of Michigan, University of Toronto, University of Melbourne, Harvard, NYU, and ACTA, among others, but each university offers different courses, and requirements can vary.
What are the job options after BDS?
On completing the dental professional course, students can apply for a job as a dentist after fulfilling the requirements of the country where they choose to pursue their career, or get a job in non-clinical areas like clinical research, public health, healthcare management, dental education, medical writing, and healthcare consulting.
Can I work after pursuing courses following BDS?
Yes, however, depending on the course and country, there are options available. Non-clinical graduates may be able to apply to jobs in healthcare, research, or management related to their course. Generally, you must be professionally registered or licensed to practise clinical dentistry.
She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them w...
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